WashPost Poll: Romney Gains, but Bain Role Irks Some Polled

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has gained Republican support since his two victories in Iowa and New Hampshire. A new Washington Post-ABC poll shows that Romney now has the support of 35 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning voters nationwide, with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich his closest rival.

Gingrich polls at 17 percent, followed by Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 16 percent, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum at 13, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 9. The poll also showed that nearly 6 in 10 see Romney as the candidate with the best shot at defeating President Barack Obama in the fall.

However, Romney is not untouchable. The recent wave of negative attacks over his work at the private equity firm Bain Capital has hurt him. Although most GOP voters see his work at the firm in a positive light, 34 percent have a negative impression of his work, a figure that has jumped from just 20 percent a month ago, the Jan. 12-15 poll found.